Abstract
To see the characteristics of autonomic reflexes from the lumbar proprioceptors a series of experiments using rabbits were undertaken, and results were discussed from the standpoint of body equilibrium. The results obtained were as follows :
1) The pupils during electric stimulation mostly dilated when rabbits were given a single electric stimulation (10msec, 10Hz. pulse waves at 30V for 90 seconds) on the unilateral lumbar erector muscles at the level of L4. Such pupillary reaction included bilateral mydriasis with and / or without anisocoria. The appearance of mydriasis with anisocoria increased as electric stimulation was repeated.Furthermore, the more dilated side of the pupils was coincident with the side of electric stimulation. Some of the animals examined showed myosis after repeated electric stimulations and such myosis showed no sign of anisocoria.
2) By applying repeated electric stimulation on the unilateral lumbar erector muscles mydriasis with anisocoria first developed before and after electric stimulations. Furthermore, such pupillary reaction increased as the electric stimulation was repeated. With respect to the correlation between the side of electric stimulation and the more dilated side of the pupils, a similar finding was observed as described in item (1).
3) By applying repeated electric stimulation on the unilateral lumbar erector muscles nystagmic responses first appeared before and after electric stimulations, and such responses increased as electric stimulation was repeated. Furthermore, the appearance of mydriasis with anisocoria paralleled that of the nystagmic responses mentioned above. From these findings the following conclusions were drawn :
1) Both autonomic and somatic reflexes can be induced on the basis of over-excitement of the lumbar proprioceptors.
2) The above-mentioned results support the idea that disequilibrium of the eyes and body and autonomic symptoms in patients with cranio-cervical injury can be induced as the proprio-ocular and the proprio-vegetative reflexes, and thus, the cervical syndrome can be explained not only by Barre's theory but also by the theory of the neck reflex.
